Fastening system for decking boards

ABSTRACT

A fastening system for decking boards ( 16 ) includes a series of supports ( 14 ) that define a central raised wall ( 24 ) and two planar portions ( 22 ) located either side of the wall. A stem ( 52 ) depending from a generally semi-circular washer ( 18 ) extends into a recess in the wall. Slots in the decking board run along both sides of the board. A first pair of supports is located on a bearer ( 12 ) and a first board is supported on the planar portions ( 22 ) of the supports, above the bearer. One half of the semi-circular top ( 50 ) of one washer is rotated to extend into the slot in the side of the decking board. A second board is located adjacent the first board on the support. A further support is slipped under the side of the second board. A washer in the further support is rotated and locked in place with a screw.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Australia provisional patentapplication No AU 2015902259 filed in the name of Elmich Pte Ltdentitled “Fastening system for decking boards” the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a fastening system for decking boards/floorboards.

BACKGROUND

Decking boards have been used extensively to create raised decks andfloors. Decking boards are laid side by side, spaced apart by about 5 mmon top of transverse bearers, and are fixed to the bearers using nails.

One problem with current methods for laying decking boards occurs whenit is necessary to remove the decking boards, either to replace damageddecking boards, or for access underneath the deck for services or thelike. This is difficult to do as it involves removal of a number ofboards and the removal of the boards often results in damage to thedeck.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or thelike which has been included in the present specification is not to betaken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of theprior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant tothe present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of eachclaim of this application.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers orsteps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, orgroup of elements, integers or steps.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, there is provided a locking supportfor decking boards or the like including a support element defining awall portion and at least two generally planar support portions disposedon opposed sides of the wall portion for supporting the underside of adecking board, the wall portion defining a generally cylindrical or partcylindrical recess; and an anchoring element having a generally planartop portion, which is preferably generally semi-circular, and adepending stem, located in the recess, the stem being able to turn inthe recess and an aperture extending through the stem for receiving theshaft of a fastening means for fixing the anchoring element relative tothe support element.

Advantageously, the fastening system allows decking boards to be laidand fastened in place but subsequently removed e.g. for replacement orrepair, or to allow access to areas covered by the boards.

Each planar support portion may define an aperture, preferably agenerally D-shaped aperture.

Typically, the semi-circular perimeter edge of the top portion of thewasher is knurled.

The washer should preferably be rigid and is typically made of a metalor very strong plastic such as glass reinforced nylon.

Typically, the generally cylindrical or part cylindrical recess definesan upper portion having a larger internal diameter and a lower portionhaving a smaller internal diameter. The stem of the washer is a closefit inside the upper portion of the generally cylindrical or partcylindrical recess.

In a related aspect, the invention provides a method of assembling afloor comprising decking boards defining slots extending along opposedside edges of the board, the floor being supported on bearers using adecking support as described above, comprising the steps of:—

locating a first pair of supports on a bearer;

supporting a first board on the planar portions of the supports;

adjusting the washer so that part of the top portions of one washerextends into a slot in the side of the decking board; and

fixing the washer using a removable fastener such as a screw extendingthrough the stem into the support and into the bearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:—

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of part of a raised deck embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 shows a section through the deck shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is an enlarged view of part of the section shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a support element of the deck showing thetop of the support element;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the support element of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view showing the underside of the support elementof FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an anchoring element showing the top ofthe anchoring element;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the anchoring element shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view showing the underside of the anchoringelement shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the deck showing the anchoring element in afirst locked position;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the deck showing the anchoring element ina second locked position;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the deck showing the anchoring element inan unlocked position

FIG. 12 shows a variant of the deck incorporating a rail; and

FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 illustrate the use of the support with differentcombinations and arrangements of washers.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a part of a floor or deck 10.The floor includes a series of spaced apart parallel bearers/beams 12,of which only one is shown. The bearers may be supported on heightadjustable pedestals (not shown), however the specific manner in whichthe bearers are supported is not critical.

A series of three support elements 14 (of which one is hidden) areattached to the upper surface of the bearer, on top of which two deckingboards 16 are located. The support elements are shown in more detail inFIGS. 3 to 5, and an anchoring element in the form of a washer 18 whichlocates in the support element, is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6 to 8.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, a groove 20 extends along and into eachlongitudinal side edge of the decking board 16.

Turning to FIGS. 3 to 5, the support element 14 defines two generallyplanar portions/platforms 22, on which decking boards are supported inuse. The planar portions 22 are separated by a wall portion 24 extendingacross the middle of the support element. A large generally D-shapedaperture 25 is defined in the centre of each planar portion 22. A seriesof V-shaped channels 26 (best seen in FIG. 3) are defined in the uppersurface of the planar portions which assist in the prevention of waterbuild up under the decking board. A V-shaped notch 28 (best seen in FIG.4) is defined in each opposed end of the support element 14. This notchassists in aligning the supports on the bearer. The wall portion 24defines three part-cylindrical bores 30, a central bore 30 a and a bore30 b, 30 c on opposed sides of the central bore. The bores aresubstantially identical. Each bore is defined by two opposed partcylindrical surfaces 32. As is best seen in FIG. 4, two diametricallyopposed protrusions 34 are defined in the bore, one protrusion beinglocated in the centre of each part cylindrical surface 32. Each bore hasa larger diameter upper part 36 and a slightly narrower diameter lowerpart 38 separated at a circular step 40 (refer to FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 shows the underside of the support element which defines twolongitudinally extending support rails/feet 42, which extend along eachof lateral edge of the support element, the lower surfaces of whichdefine a series of spaced V-shaped cut outs 44, and a number ofsupporting feet 46 under the centre and longitudinal edges of thesupport element some of whose lower surfaces also define a series ofspaced V-shaped cut outs 44. The V-shaped cut-outs 44 help to preventthe build of water by allowing freer drainage/movement of water on topof the bearer 12. They also function as cutting grooves to allow asupport to be used for an edge or end board by cutting off one of theplanar portions.

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate the anchoring washer 18 in more detail. Thewasher defines a generally planar top portion 50 and an integraldepending stem/support 52. As is best seen in FIG. 7 the generallyplanar top portion 50 is generally semi-circular defining a centralaperture 54 but with an edge strip 56 disposed to one side of theaperture (refer to FIG. 7). The edge of the curved part of thesemi-circular portion is knurled and defines a series of ribs 58. Anindicia in the form of an arrow 60 is defined pointing to the midpointof the semi-circular portion. In use, the ribs facilitate the turning ofthe washer using a small screwdriver or similar tool accessing thewasher through a gap between boards.

As is best seen in FIG. 8, the depending stem 52 has a generally annularcross-section, but defines two opposed U shaped cut out portions 62which extend from the base 64 of the stem. Spaced around the exterior ofthe stem at 90° to the cut out portions are two recesses or indents 66.The external diameter of the stem is the approximately the same orslightly smaller than the internal diameter of the bore 30 a, so that itis a close fit in the bore 30 a but can turn in it, and is greater thanthe diameter of the bore 30 b.

As is best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 2 a, the stem 52 of the washer 18locates in the upper bore 36 of one of the bores 30 a of the supportelement. The stem of the washer is held aligned with the bore by the fitof the stem of the washer in the bore 30 a. A fastening means in theform of a screw 100 having a head 102, shaft 104, threaded part 106 andtip 108, locates inside the bore in the stem of the washer. Where thehead of the screw joins the stem a radiused portion is defined whichallows the screw to be self-centring. The diameter of the lower bore ofthe support element is approximately the external diameter of the helixof the screw so that the screw is a snug fit in the bore.

In use, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a support 14 is located on abearer 12 and a first board 16 is supported on the planar portions ofthe support, above the bearer 12. The washer 18 is rotated so that halfof the semi-circular portion of the washer is located in the groove 20in the side of the decking board 16, and the arrow 60 is visibleadjacent the edge of the board. At this stage the washer and support 14may be partly fixed in place by the screw 100 which extends through thestem into the support 14 and into the bearer, but the screw is not fullyinserted and the washer remains free to rotate. Note that as the washerdoes rotate, the combination of the two protrusions in the bore 30 a andthe two recesses 62 and two cut outs 66 provides a series of click stopsspaced apart at 90° as the protrusions engage in the recesses orcut-outs.

A second board (not shown) is then located adjacent the first board onthe support and a further support is slipped under the distal side ofthe second board. The washer in the first support is rotated through 90°to the position shown in FIG. 10 and the screw is tightened to lock thewasher in place. Note that in this position, the arrow 60 is visible.The board is then locked in place either side by washers. A next boardis placed adjacent the second board a support is located under thedistal side of the second board and the process is continued until thedecking is complete. Where access is only required in certain areas of adeck it is possible to use the washers in those areas and use supportelements without washers in other areas and simply nail the boards inplace, with the nails passing through sides of the boards and into theD-shaped apertures. The support elements also assist in maintaining aneven separation between boards.

The head of the screw is visible between the boards and can be accessedand partially unscrewed to allow rotation of the washer to allow theremoval of individual or multiple boards, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 illustrates a variant of the invention in which a rail 200 ismounted to the top of the bearer using fasteners such as screws. Therail defines two parallel longitudinally extending ribs 202, 204. Theribs locate between the central supporting feet of the support elementsand ensure they are correctly aligned with one another. The supportelements may be slid along the rails, before they are locked in place byscrews.

While the use of the semi-circular washer allows for the easy removaland replacement of boards, the supports may be used with square washersand the like, which do not have the advantage of being removable, butcan be used where the boards do not need to be removed. Also theprovision of the three bores in the centre of the support, allows thesupports to support and fix the ends of two boards butted end to end,simultaneously. FIGS. 13 to 16 show a number of different washer andboard combinations using the supports.

In particular, FIG. 13 shows the use of a semi-circular washer 18 and asquare washer 300 to fix two boards 16 butted end to end. FIG. 14 showsa similar arrangement, but using two semi-circular washers 18.

FIG. 15 shows a single square washer 300 attached via the central bore30 a of the support, fixing the ends of two boards. FIG. 16 illustratesthe use of two square washers retaining a single board 16. Otherarrangements are possible.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the above-describedembodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of thepresent disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. A locking supportfor decking boards including a support element defining a wall portionand at least two generally planar support portions disposed on opposedsides of the wall portion for supporting the underside of a deckingboard, the wall portion defining a generally cylindrical or partcylindrical recess; and an anchoring element having a top portion and adepending stem, located in the recess, the stem being able to turn inthe recess and having an aperture extending through the stem forreceiving the shaft of a fastening means for fixing the anchoringelement relative to the support element.
 2. A locking support fordecking boards as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top portion of theanchoring element is generally planar and generally semi-circular.
 3. Alocking support for decking boards as claimed in claim 1 wherein eachplanar support portion of the support element defines an aperture.
 4. Alocking support for decking boards as claimed in claim 3 wherein theaperture is generally D-shaped.
 5. A locking support for decking boardsas claimed in claim 2 wherein the generally semi-circular top portiondefines a semi-circular perimeter edge which is knurled and defines aseries of ribs.
 6. A locking support for decking boards as claimed inclaim 5 including an indicia located part way around the semi-circularperimeter edge of the washer.
 7. A locking support for decking boards asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the generally cylindrical or part cylindricalrecess defines an upper portion having a larger internal diameter and alower portion having a smaller internal diameter.
 8. A locking supportfor decking boards as claimed in claim 7 wherein the stem of the washeris a close fit inside the upper portion of the generally cylindrical orpart cylindrical recess.
 9. A locking support for decking boards asclaimed in claim 8 wherein the upper portion of the bore defines aninwardly directed protrusion and the stem of the washer defines a recesswhich can receive the protrusion when aligned with the same.
 10. Amethod of assembling a floor comprising decking boards defining slotsextending along opposed side edges of the board, the floor beingsupported on bearers using the decking support as claimed in claim 1,comprising the steps of:— locating a first pair of supports on a bearer;supporting a first board on the planar portions of the supports;adjusting the washer so that part of the top portions of one washerextends into a slot in the side of the decking board and fixing thewasher using a removable fastener such as a screw extending through thestem into the support and into the bearer.
 11. A method as claimed inclaim 10 further including the step of; locating a second board adjacentthe first board on the support placing a further support under thesecond board and adjusting the washer in the further support andsecuring the same with removable fasteners such as a screw.